Genesis 29:27
Parallel Verses
New International Version
Finish this daughter's bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work."


English Standard Version
Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.”


New American Standard Bible
"Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you shall serve with me for another seven years."


King James Bible
Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.


Holman Christian Standard Bible
Complete this week of wedding celebration, and we will also give you this younger one in return for working yet another seven years for me."


International Standard Version
Fulfill the week for this daughter, then we'll give you the other one in exchange for serving me another seven years."


American Standard Version
Fulfil the week of this one, and we will give thee the other also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.


Douay-Rheims Bible
Make up the week of days of this match: and I will give thee her also, for the service that thou shalt render me other seven years.


Darby Bible Translation
Fulfil the week with this one: then we will give thee the other one also, for the service that thou shalt serve me yet seven other years.


Young's Literal Translation
fulfil the week of this one, and we give to thee also this one, for the service which thou dost serve with me yet seven other years.'


Commentaries
29:15-30 During the month that Jacob spent as a guest, he was not idle. Wherever we are, it is good to employ ourselves in some useful business. Laban was desirous that Jacob should continue with him. Inferior relations must not be imposed upon; it is our duty to reward them. Jacob made known to Laban the affection he had for his daughter Rachel. And having no wordly goods with which to endow her, he promises seven years' service Love makes long and hard services short and easy; hence we read of the labour of love, Heb 6:10. If we know how to value the happiness of heaven, the sufferings of this present time will be as nothing to us. An age of work will be but as a few days to those that love God, and long for Christ's appearing. Jacob, who had imposed upon his father, is imposed upon by Laban, his father-in-law, by a like deception. Herein, how unrighteous soever Laban was, the Lord was righteous: see Jud 1:7. Even the righteous, if they take a false step, are sometimes thus recompensed in the earth. And many who are not, like Jacob, in their marriage, disappointed in person, soon find themselves, as much to their grief, disappointed in the character. The choice of that relation ought to be made with good advice and thought on both sides. There is reason to believe that Laban's excuse was not true. His way of settling the matter made bad worse. Jacob was drawn into the disquiet of multiplying wives. He could not refuse Rachel, for he had espoused her; still less could he refuse Leah. As yet there was no express command against marrying more than one wife. It was in the patriarchs a sin of ignorance; but it will not justify the like practice now, when God's will is plainly made known by the Divine law, Le 18:18, and more fully since, by our Saviour, that one man and woman only must be joined together, 1Co 7:2.

21. Jacob said, Give me my wife—At the expiry of the stipulated term the marriage festivities were held. But an infamous fraud was practised on Jacob, and on his showing a righteous indignation, the usage of the country was pleaded in excuse. No plea of kindred should ever be allowed to come in opposition to the claim of justice. But this is often overlooked by the selfish mind of man, and fashion or custom rules instead of the will of God. This was what Laban did, as he said, "It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the first-born." But, then, if that were the prevailing custom of society at Haran, he should have apprized his nephew of it at an early period in an honorable manner. This, however, is too much the way with the people of the East still. The duty of marrying an elder daughter before a younger, the tricks which parents take to get off an elder daughter that is plain or deformed and in which they are favored by the long bridal veil that entirely conceals her features all the wedding day, and the prolongation for a week of the marriage festivities among the greater sheiks, are accordant with the habits of the people in Arabia and Armenia in the present day.
Genesis 29:26
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